3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner, meaning that rosters will look a bit different in August. For the SF Giants, which players will not be on the roster once all of the trades are made.

3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

The Giants have a 32-34 overall record on the year while sitting in third place in the NL West. The San Diego Padres (34-35) sit 0.5 games ahead of them in the division, whereas the Arizona Diamondbacks (31-35) are one game behind.

The good news is that the NL looks to be on the weaker side in 2024. Only four teams have a winning record currently, so the door to the Wild Card remains wide open. In fact, the Giants are in a three-way tie with the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds for the third Wild Card spot.

1. Luke Jackson

When the Giants signed Luke Jackson to a two-year, $9.5 million deal, they were hoping to get a potential leverage reliever at a bargain rate. His deal includes a $2 million buyout for 2025.

The veteran reliever posted a 1.98 ERA in 71 outings for the Atlanta Braves in 2021. However, he missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Jackson responded nicely last year in his first season with San Francisco, recording a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings. However, it felt like Giants manager Gabe Kapler did not have a lot of confidence in him as he was rarely used in leverage spots.

That has been more of the same with Bob Melvin. Jackson has tallied a 6.00 ERA in 19 appearances for the Giants in 2024. It should be noted that he has a 3.43 FIP, so by at least one metric, he has pitched better than his ERA would indicate.

However, most of his work has come when the team is behind. And, he has proven to be unreliable in his brief spots in leverage situations.

His role is one that is replaceable and it might make sense to try and find someone who not only is a more reliable option, but someone will be on the team beyond this season.

The Giants will likely add to the bullpen if they buy at the trade deadline. However, they already have quality components with relievers like Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker, and Tyler Rogers. It would make sense to find someone who can lengthen the bullpen.

3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

3. Curt Casali

This is another tough one because Curt Casali is well-respected in the clubhouse and just a good veteran to have on the roster. However, the Giants cannot carry three catchers on the active roster for long.

The club hopes that Tom Murphy will return at some point this season. Despite getting off to a slow start, the right-handed bat had a solid.879 OPS while serving as a backup catcher for the Seattle Mariners in the two years leading up to this one.

The veteran backstop has not looked like that type of hitter yet, registering just four hits in 34 at-bats before landing on the injured list with a knee sprain. The severity of the sprain was significant enough that he was immediately transferred to the 60-day injured list.

The Giants brought back Casali to give them a reliable backup catcher. He has posted just a .459 OPS in 38 plate appearances since rejoining the club. That said, the team still finds a way to win as they are 7-3 when he starts. Perhaps, there is still some of that 2021 magic with Casali.

Murphy will be out until the middle of July, but once he get close to a return, it could make for a tough decision with Casali. The Giants did commit a two-year deal to Murphy in the offseason, so he is not going anywhere. It could leave Casali without a roster spot.